One Month to a Brighter, Healthier Smile

See the surprising culprits that are sabotaging your teeth, and find out how to reverse the damage and brighten your smile in just 30 days

"Most people snack on carbohydrate-rich foods, like chips, which are especially bad for our teeth," says Pankaj J. Singh, DDS, founder and CEO of Arch Dental Associates in New York City. "All carbohydrates eventually break down into simple sugars, which are converted by the bacteria in your mouth into plaque -- the primary trigger of gum disease and cavities," he says. The biggest plaque culprit on Singh's list? Bananas. Their "chewy, adhesive texture" makes it easier for them to get caught between teeth or under the gum line, where bacteria can accumulate.